Review Detail

There has recently erupted, within the kayak angling industry, a new found devotion to the central point of contact between paddler and vessel. Gone are the days of choosing between molded plastic, flimsy webbing, and aftermarket add-ons. Wilderness Systems is one such industry staple dedicated to the refining of the humble kayak saddle. The company recently sent for review the new Phase 3 Air Pro seat. Though said product was attached to the recently updated Ride 115, and was, therefore, outfitted beyond the average scope, the following discussion shall focus on the throne, proper.

With regard to comfort and ease of use, the manufacturer touts the Air Pro as an industry leading design. Granted, the paddling industry is rife with superfluous hyperbole, and PR materials are often regurgitations of focus group wish lists. However, in the case of the product at hand, Wilderness Systems has made good on their promise.

Comfort is at the forefront of the Air Pro's agenda, and anglers will be hard pressed to find a seat that is more catered to their interests. The egg crate-esque foam matrix offers the perfect blend of flex and support, and, in the case of this reviewer, provides a welcomed cradle to minimally padded bones and joints. While no test paddle lingered beyond two hours, it is not inconceivable to imagine comfortable forays lasting three or four times as long. It seems as though Wilderness Systems struck gold with the concept of differing sized foam-based holes, as such an unsurpassed level of contentment has long eluded this reviewer. In a world where my once broken and therefore permanently misaligned coccyx has consistently met lightly padded rotomold, comfort whilst paddling has been but a journey fraught with the trials of garage-based tinkering and constant aftermarket swap-outs. It is both refreshing and due that a company has formally addressed these sorts of needs.

The genre of kayak seat reviews often focuses on PFD compatibility. Many are the complaints that the life saving units simply do not fit, in any conceivable and comfortable fashion, with the seat backs. Simply stated, the Air Pro brings forth no related issue. Three standard PFDs were tested (a basic Stohlquist, a women's-specific Patagonia, and, for the sake of extremity, a hip-worn inflatable), and all melded well with the curve and flexibility of the seat back in question.

While ventilation is another key advertised characteristic of the Air Pro, testing season in the Pacific Northwest did not align with a period of heat and humidity. However, with air flow comes drying, and it is with this mindset that I put forth my assessment of the seat's ventilation. After completely soaking the chair with frigid river water, I boarded the vessel and set out upon a brisk 4 mile paddle. The wind was blowing at ten to fifteen knots, and within a quarter of my journey, the seat was nearly dry to the touch. The foam absorbs minimal moisture, and the mesh coating exudes a wicking effect that is quite noticeable. The angles of the seat, while affixed in a typical upright arrangement, coupled with the available material to eliminate all possibilities of pooling, makes for an entire set up that was devoid of liquid at the trip's halfway mark.

As mentioned above, the manufacturer set about to create a rather complex unit that is easy to employ. All pull straps feature icons that are simple to interpret; a basic human figure is coupled with directional arrows, and a simple pull thereof moves the seat into the indicated direction. The straps terminate in front of the paddler, and no time or stability is compromised in the adjusting of the system. In short, if a paddler wishes to maneuver the seat upon any directional axis, there exists a simple and well thought out way in which to do so.

This reviewer's kayak transport system invokes the use of a truck bed and upright boat. This arrangement often leads to seat backs being blown forcibly and sporadically upright in the winds of velocity, only to be reprimanded downward by ratchet straps, or worse, duct tape. Wilderness Systems has thoughtfully provided stretchable cords with which to secure the seat back into a downward position; this is but one of several indices pointing to the notion that the Air Pro was more than a thrown-together, impromptu marketing gimmick.

It must be stated, however, that the entire system is comprised of foam, mesh, and cordage. Although it is impossible for a short term review to address the concept of durability, one must wonder as to whether the setup will stand the test of time. All materials, however, appear durable and stout, and the system feels strong to the touch. It is not inconceivable to view aspects of the seat, should failure occur, as replaceable, and a basic scan of the design leads one to believe that part-swapping would be easy and hassle-free. Basic and common sense-based maintenance is a given; rinse after saltwater exposure, keep away from sharp objects and flame, and enjoy many seasons of continued use.

It is my belief that Wilderness Systems has offered their ante to the table that is the kayak angling industry. At a moderate price, the Air Pro brings great reward - a combination most powerful, and one that will surely decide the fate of kayak seats to come.